NJ education commissioner stepping down

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey’s education commissioner is stepping down at the end of the month.

Chris Cerf will join an education technology firm run by former New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein. Cerf served as Klein’s deputy from 2006 to 2009.

Cerf helped broker a landmark tenure law with New Jersey’s powerful teachers union. The law links good evaluations and student learning with tenure. He also reorganized the Education Department and occasionally clashed with the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union.

The Democrat served 18 months as acting commissioner while a senator blocked his appointment. Cerf eventually moved to Somerset County and the Senate confirmed his nomination.